The Dallas Stars are likely to get a trio of players back
for tonight's home contest versus the Calgary Flames at American Airlines
Center.
Both Mike Modano and Jere Lehtinen were cleared to play in tonight's matchup,
while goaltender Marty Turco could return after a two-game absence because of
flu-like symptoms.
The 39-year-old Modano has been out since Dallas' season opener due to a rib
injury, while Lehtinen has been limited to just a pair of games thanks to a
groin ailment.
"We will have a few decisions to make on our lineup," said head coach Marc
Crawford on Dallas' Web site. "It is great to get the type of experience that
we're getting back into our lineup with Mike Modano and Jere Lehtinen. Those
guys are very excited about coming back into the lineup."
Dallas dropped both contests minus Turco with Alex Auld in net, including
Saturday's 4-2 setback that saw the Stars lose for the first time this season
when leading after two periods (5-1).
Auld allowed four goals on 33 shots, getting beaten three times in the third
period. Steve Ott returned from a two-game suspension and scored, while Brian
Sutherby also lit the lamp.
Brad Richards had an assist to run his points streak to five games. He has two
goals and six helpers over the burst and six goals and six assists in 10
career games versus the Flames.
Both he and Mike Ribeiro had a goal and an assist in Dallas' 5-2 road win over
Calgary on October 9. Auld made 21 saves in that game, giving the Stars a win
in five of eight and seven of their last 11 versus the Flames.
Calgary, though, has won three of its last four in Dallas.
Turco, who is 14-8-1 with a pair of ties and 1.79 goals-against average versus
the Flames, should start tonight after practicing on Monday. The Stars also
reassigned backup netminder Matt Climie to the AHL a day earlier.
Loui Eriksson, though, is questionable due to flu-like symptoms.
The Flames won the first three contests of a recent five-game homestand,
netting 16 goals in that span, but dropped the final two tests of the
residency. They scored three goals in the two losses, getting beat, 3-1, by
Detroit on Saturday.
Daymond Langkow provided the lone tally for the Flames, while Miikka Kiprusoff
allowed two goals on 29 shots in defeat.
"It was a tight game. We got the lead, and the next two or three shifts we
made mistakes," said Flames head coach Brent Sutter. "We didn't generate a
whole lot offensively. We never put enough pucks towards the net. We still
want to make the perfect plays in the offensive zone."
Kiprusoff is expected to start tonight after not facing Dallas in October.
Instead, Curtis McElhinney made his first and only start so far, allowing four
goals on 29 shots.
Kiprusoff is 6-10-2 with a 2.33 GAA in his career versus the Stars.
©2009 Sports Network. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
